PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Mike Dussault

Some way late defensive observations from Patriots – Jets

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Yesterday I finally brought myself to rewatch the first half of the Patriots playoff debacle against the Jets. Only the defensive series.

During the season I always enjoyed going back on Tuesday and evaluating what the defense did without the emotion. Well it took me about a month to be able to watch this one without emotion, but I’m glad I did.

So it might be a little late for a full on defensive analysis but I think there’s something to be taken from who played. These was no room for error or experimentation so clearly whoever was playing were the players BB most believed in.

So anyway, here are just some quick hit thoughts…

  • I was impressed with the play of Rob Ninkovich and  Eric Moore at OLB early on. I think both of these guys will definitely be in the mix this summer regardless of what OLBs the Pats may or may not draft. They were strong against the run, and a big part of keeping the Jets out of sync in the first half.
  • Wasn’t impressed with Tully Banta-Cain, and I think it might be a pretty good bet that Moore takes his roster spot. He just doesn’t have the pass rush skills that worry opponents.
  • The defense really played pretty well in the first half, save a penalty on James Sanders, and a long completion given up by Darius Butler. The botched fake punt really put them in bad position and they folded, allowing a late touchdown. Hard to get too upset with them, but the long run by Tomlinson then the 3rd down touchdown to Edwards were poorly played.
  • Chung and Meriweather started at the safety spots, showing when it counts James Sanders is the 3rd safety. This also got Chung out of the nickelback position he had been mostly playing over the last month of the season. Chung does a lot of things well, but asking him to be just a nickel corner doesn’t take full advantage of what he can do.
  • Would Eric Moore have played so much if Jermaine Cunningham had been healthy? Hard to know.
  • Dane Fletcher was used in passing down nickel/dime packages, showing that he truly has potential. I think he will pose a real challenge to Gary Guyton in training camp this summer.

Second half observations coming when I can stomach watching it all fall apart…

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According to a medical source, the hip surgery undergone by Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez this offseason was similar to the operation that Bruins goalie Tim Thomas had last summer.

Thomas’ recuperation period was expected to be three to four months, and the veteran goalie not only was ready when training camp opened but he’s been better than ever this season.

If Hernandez has a similar recuperation period, he would be ready when the Pats report for camp in July … if the NFL’s labor dispute is settled by then.

Tom E. Curran on Hernando

https://www.patspropaganda.com/according-to-a-medical-source-the-hip-surgery/

NEPatriotsDraft.Com: Picks to fill the “Will” position

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NEPatriotsDraft.Com: Picks to fill the “Will” position

NEPatriotsDraft gets technical on us with the specific names for the linebacker positions in the Patriots defense, aka Sam-Mike-Will-Jack, and a nice breakdown of some of the top OLB prospects.

While I lean DE at 17, I think that if there is an OLB conversion project with real potential, even if he might need a little time to develop into a three-down OLB, he would be an excellent addition. But until I see Smith, Houston, and Ayers look fluid and athletic in space I remain uncertain if any of them are a) truly capable of playing in the 3-4, b) physical enough to hold the point of attack, or c) have the football nerdiness required of a BB draft pick.

I’d love to draft another Willie McGinest, but I’m just not convinced yet that any of these guys are the next Willie Mac. After we see and hear about the results from the combine we’ll have a much better sense of where they stand.

The Belichick defense demands for players who are versatile, so just because you’re the weak side OLB, usually the pass rush specialist, you will still be required to drop into coverage and play the run more than other 3-4 systems.

So for Patriots to draft an OLB in the first round they will have to be big, athletic, physical and smart. Without exception.

There are plenty of guys out there who can just pin their ears back and gun for the QB every time they’re on the field. But it takes a lot more to play in a defense where you’re going to be asked to do multiple things, including getting after the quarterback. 

If you’re going to get a guy and only ask him to rush the passer what not wait until the second or third round and get a guy like Brooks Reed, my fastest rising crush in this years draft.